L-R: Alanamu Mustapha. Bronze Medal winner of N25K prize; Osagiede Thomas, Bronze Medal N25K; Ozena Utulu, the Ag Group Head, Corporate Communications; Oshinowo Gbenga, Gold Medal N100K and Akintewe Tolulope, Silver Medal N70K, during the prize presentation of winners at the just concluded 2021 ValueJet Para Table Tennis Open, held in Lagos.
2 Dr. Grace Igbokwe (Representative of 1st lady of Lagos State); Ozena Utulu, Ag, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank Plc and Hon. Durosimi Eti, Chairman Para Athletics Association Lagos State, at the just concluded 2021 ValueJet Para Table Tennis Open, held in Lagos.
Heritage Bank plc has reiterated its commitment to promoting sports in Nigeria, in partnership with Lagos State Government to back the 3rd Edition of the annual Lagos Value Jet Para Table Tennis championship.
The three-day para table tennis championship hosted 45 table tennis games, which held in the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.
Speaking to the media during the games, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank stated that the bank’s commitment to sports and its partnership with Lagos ValueJet Para Table Tennis resonates from the institution’s brand passion to support sports, especially for the physically challenged that would help in wellbeing, health and by extension nation building.
According to him, Heritage Bank believes in development and having the tenacity to develop Nigerians both young and old, whilst encouraging the physically challenged especially the participants of the para table tennis that this game is capable of helping them to keep healthy and fit.
He commended the Para–division of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Sunday Odebode’s Para Table Tennis Foundation for organizing the competition as well as the Lagos State Government for playing a leading role in the development of sports in the country.
Sekibo who was represented by Ozena Utulu, the Ag Group Head, Corporate Communications also recalled the support it received from the Lagos State government when it organised the Skoolimpics, its signature sporting event with more than 6,000 students from over 600 public and private secondary schools from the six educational districts of Lagos Sate in attendance at the three-day sporting fiesta held in 2017.
According to him, Skoolimpics is an idea conceived to bring into being a national sports festival for young people in secondary schools aimed at helping the country discover young talents who will re-ignite the spirit of excellence in competitive and recreational sports.
“The idea was intended to be a holistic development of young people in order to foster their physical, social and emotional wellbeing. It is a well-known fact that physical education and sports help in character and community building, delinquency reduction, community safety, economic and social development,” Sekibo stated.
In similar manner, First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu reiterated the government’s commitment to continually put measures in place to play-up the welfare, wellbeing and interests of the physically challenged.
Sanwo-Olu represented by Grace Igbokwe advised the participants to continue investing the right energy and zeal into training, whilst cautioning them to take their education even more seriously and equally draw inspiration from great Table Tennis players who are making waves nationally and internationally.
Coordinator of the tournament, Sunday Odebode, said fans would witness the emergence of new stars in the kind of Christian Ikpoyi, who is rated number 10 in the world, to replace the ageing Nigerian players.
Qatar 2022: Primate Ayodele’s Prophecy Still Coming To Pass As Big Teams Lose Out
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Sponsored by: H&H
Times without number, God has proven that He knows the end of a thing from the beginning and he also reveal these mysteries to his prophets, as we read in the holy bible.
One of the most consistent prophet in the world as we speak is Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church whose ministry doesn’t talk about a sector alone; he gives prophecies on every sector of the country and his justification for this is that God is interested in every area of man’s life.
Primate Ayodele is popular for his prophecies on politics, sports, education, security, governance, cooperate organizations, individuals, to mention a few. He has more than 15,000 prophecies on these sectors and they have all come to pass.
As we know that we are in the world cup era and as usual of him, Primate Ayodele gave some prophecies before the tournament started during an interview session. He made it known that countries should not rely on star players because they will mess their team up. He mentioned some players and warned coaches against relying on them in order not to lose out.
Unfortunately, many of them never listened to this warning and they are now suffering the consequences. The big teams of the tournament are losing out already. We saw how Brazil despite having several star footballers got disqualified after losing to Croatia yesterday, Netherlands too lost to Argentina in the Quarter-final matches. We saw how Morocco defeated almighty Spain in the round of 16 too, and many other situations that have rendered the star players irrelevant and unable to save their country from disqualification.
More matches are still coming in the quarter final matches and we will keep fingers crossed on the performance of the star footballers in the matches. However, Primate Ayodele’s prophecy has been continued to come to pass so far in this tournament.
NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau Hosts Primate Ayodele, Presents Customized Jersey
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Sponsored by: H&H
The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has been received by the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alh Ibrahim Gusau at his Abuja office.
In a statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, it was revealed that the NFF president expressed his gratitude to Primate Ayodele for his support towards his emergence as the president.
Gusau, who was joined by his team to receive the renowned man of God made it known that He hasn’t met the prophet before but was surprised that He continued to mention his name as the best choice to become the next NFF president after Amaju Pinnick.
He noted that Primate Ayodele’s prayers and prophecy was instrumental to his emergence as the NFF President while affirming that he is indeed a true man of God.
In his response, Primate Ayodele explained that He is only doing what God asked him to do by supporting Gusau in prayers to become the next president of the NFF as God revealed.
He then urged Gusau to use football to unite the country because the sector has so much to offer in curbing disunity and insecurity in the country.
He expressed his surprise at the performance of Morocco in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, noting that Nigerian can do more in the next World Cup with Gusau’s administration.
He then advised Gusau to start preparation towards international competitions, create space for the country’s ex-professional footballers, carry local players along and ensure God is involved in the affairs of the nation’s football.
“ We can use football to unite Nigeria. When there is football, Nigerians comes together as one body.”
“I was impressed seeing Morocco at that stage and I believe Nigeria can do more. We can go as far as getting to final stage of the next World Cup if we start the preparations now. We can stop insecurity with sports. Let’s create a space for Most of these professionals and ex footballers, they can make impact.”
“If Nigeria goes to world cup and we get the finals, the country will be better. I encourage you to also carry home-based players along.”
“Also, in your commitee, some will not like your policies, not all will be your friend, there are some who just want to be there, they won’t be there with all their heart, let’s do everything with the fear of God and love because that’s the beginning of success.”
“Let’s also mix prayers with football because it will help us so much. Before picking a coach, let’s put it in God’s hands.”
“Nigeria must come home with the next AFCON, we are going to Egypt too next year to ensure that we win the cup. Let’s do it with love and fairness. We need to commit our football in the hands of God for us to excel.”
“Supporters club is a mess because they are not united, I urge you to please call them to order so they can come as one body. Our fields too, take your proposal to FIFA, let there be activities in our stadiums.”
“I will support you with prayers, God will support you.I congratulate you once again for your victory, it’s my prayer that God will lead and be with you. Let’s all work in love and unity.”
In his reactions, Gusau appreciated Primate Ayodele for his prayers while assuring that the federation will always listen to the man of God after which he presented a customized jersey to the man of God.
“I thank you for this important visit, I want to assure you that we will always listen to you, we believe in prayer and we will continue to pray.”
“We will continue to pray, this is your own time, if you can say it and It came to pass, my success will also be your success. I know God will be with you and I wish you good health and under my leadership, I will not disappoint Nigerians and do my best to ensure I get the best for Nigeria.”
The speaker’s game organized to commemorate the 50th birthday celebration of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Rt.Hon Mudashiru Obasa, which started Monday, 24th October and will reach its climax on Friday, 11th November, 2022 has already churned out winners in Table Tennis, Basketball,Volleyball, Ludo,Draught and Ayo Olopon games.
Adeleye
Mr. Shakiru Adeleye of the Vice Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Correspondents Association (LAHACA) top the table tennis tournament having defeated Mr. Olaosebikan Ebenezer with 2-0 straight wins in the tournament tagged: ‘The Golden Age Edition’.
The final stage competition featured Shakiru beating his counterpart 11-8 and 11-7 in two games respectively.
He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity afforded him to showcase his talent.
“I use this medium to promise my Station Lagos Television more wins in Table Tennis game.”
Finalists in other games also emerge winners and were duly announced and handed cash prizes.
In Ludo game Giwa Nosimot slugged it out with Babatunde Idowu to emerge winner, in draught
Ehigiator Omosefe displayed his dexterity and calculating moves, which place him ahead of Jimoh Ahmed the other contestant.
Ayo Alopon game featured Akintunde felicia emerging winner at the final games played on Wednesday 9th November, 2022 at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium the venue of some of the indoor games.
The basketball and volleyball finals also ended with the Speaker team winning both tournaments.
On the sideline a raffle draw was held which churn out lucky individuals winning lots of amazing prizes during the games.